Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished the best for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 co-hosts Namibia. Also, he has extended the country's hand to the growth of cricket in Namibia. 

PM Modi is visiting the Southern African country Namibia at the invitation of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The Indian PM has been conferred with the highest civilian honour in Namibia, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis.

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Wishing Namibia great success in co-hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup: PM Narendra Modi

In this special visit, the Indian PM had a speech where he included the best wishes for their co-hosting the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be their first ever ICC tournament hosting in senior cricket. Namibia will host this tournament with the Test-playing nations South Africa and Zimbabwe, where 14 teams will participate in the tournament.  

Namibia: PM Narendra Modi says, "I conclude by wishing Namibia great success in co-hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup. And if your Eagles need any cricket tips — you know whom to call!" pic.twitter.com/R6knyHKlZ1

— IANS (@ians_india) July 9, 2025

However, unlike the Test-playing members or ICC Full Members South Africa and Zimbabwe, who have earned the direct qualification for the 14-team tournament ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, the Associate Member Namibia will have to participate in the Qualifiers to qualify for the 14th edition of the ODI World Cup. Three Namibian venues are expected to host the next ODI World Cup, including FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. 

Namibia in international cricket

Namibia have played one Men's ODI World Cup in 2003, when South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya co-hosted the tournament, and the last three Men's T20 World Cups (2021, 2022, and 2024). 

While Namibia men's U19 team is known as one of the best associates, the country will co-host the upcoming ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 with Zimbabwe.

Sourav Ganguly: 2027 World Cup Won’t Be Easy for Rohit and Kohli

Sourav Ganguly has said that the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup won’t be as easy for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as many people think. Their recent retirement from Test cricket just a week apart made headlines and gave fans hope that the two legends are saving their energy for one last World Cup. But Ganguly feels it’s not that simple.

By the time the next World Cup arrives, Kohli will be 39 and Rohit will be 40. Staying fit and match-ready at that age is tough. Even though they won’t be playing Tests or T20s anymore, Ganguly pointed out that they’ll still need to play around 27 ODIs before the tournament, and maybe even more if the schedule changes.

“It’s not going to be easy. Playing 15 ODIs a year is a lot,” Ganguly said. “I don’t need to give them advice they know the game well. But we all have to accept that one day, they will walk away from cricket, and the game will move on too.”

Ganguly predicts it's difficult for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma till 2027.

With only handful of matches every year now. Each match performance matters since there is a lot of competition nowpic.twitter.com/e6Ao5Gx76w

— Forever_ICT (@loyal_cskian) June 22, 2025

Besides ODIs, Rohit and Kohli will also play in the IPL. It may not directly help their ODI form, but staying on the field and playing competitive cricket will definitely help them stay sharp. Their decision to retire from Test cricket also makes sense. Rohit’s Test form had dipped, and Kohli struggled with balls outside off stump, especially in Australia. Playing all formats was becoming harder with age.

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Still, they are both very strong in ODIs. In the recent Champions Trophy, Kohli scored 218 runs with a century, while Rohit scored 180, including a vital 76 in the final. They also did well in the 2023 World Cup at home. With series in Australia and New Zealand coming up, it won’t be easy. But if they stay fit and focused, winning the 2027 World Cup could be the perfect way to end their amazing careers.